-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` I was surrounded by cameramen , all on their knees like proposing Victorian swains , shooting upwards to make my skirt look even shorter . I had no idea this was going to happen -- this was publicity that I certainly had not planned . '' Model Jean Shrimpton .

On a sultry spring day in 1965 , silence descended on the packed crowd gathered at Australia 's biggest sporting event .

All eyes were on British supermodel Jean Shrimpton as she arrived at the prestigious Melbourne Cup Carnival -- or more accurately , all attention was focused on the 22-year-old 's legs .

`` The most beautiful girl in the world '' had stepped out at Flemington Racecourse wearing a minidress five inches above her knees , with no hat , stockings or gloves .

In an era when women did n't leave the house without wearing a hat , it was an outfit which both scandalized the nation and sparked a fashion revolution which would define the Swinging Sixties .

As the Melbourne Cup prepares for its 52nd `` Fashions on the Field '' competition , the iconic image of Shrimpton in `` that dress '' has gained almost mythical status in the history of a horse race now worth $ 6.2 million in prize money .

Known as `` The race that stops a nation , '' it is one of the richest thoroughbred competitions in the world , and is so revered in its home state of Victoria that its annual date -- the first Tuesday in November -- has been made a public holiday .

But in 1965 it was Shrimpton 's legs which famously stopped the country in its tracks .

`` She was one of the world 's first supermodels and her visit was highly anticipated -- everyone was expecting this beautiful hat and accessories , '' Victoria Racing Club Art and Heritage curator Penny Tripp told CNN .

`` When Jean came marching through the members ' lounge two hours late with her boyfriend of the time -- Hollywood actor Terence Stamp -- in this casual dress , there was absolute silence . ''

The conservative country was rocked by the seemingly skimpy outfit and , for the first time since the inaugural race in 1861 , the winning horse was knocked off newspaper front pages -- in favor of Shrimpton 's legs .

`` There she was , the world 's highest-paid model , snubbing the iron-clad conventions at fashionable Flemington in a dress five inches above the knee , NO hat , NO gloves , and NO stockings ! '' screamed Melbourne newspaper The Sun .

`` The Shrimp , '' as she was known , had been employed by textile manufacturer DuPont de Nemours International to be a judge in the annual `` Fashions on the Field '' dress competition .

The face of `` Swinging Sixties London '' was flown to other side of the world to promote DuPont 's new fabric , Orlon , during the four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival -- Derby Day , Melbourne Cup , Oakes Day and Stakes Day .

Shrimpton was sent rolls of the material , designing her secret wardrobe with London dressmaker Colin Rolfe .

With limited fabric , Rolfe was forced to create the now-famously short dress . Though Shrimpton appeared undeterred by the length , telling Australian Women 's Weekly magazine : `` I always wear my day dresses above the knee . ''

DuPont quickly employed Melbourne milliner Adele Chapeaux to create a hat for Shrimpton 's next appearances . The model complied -- for one day . By the end of the carnival she had converted back to her trademark stripped-back mod look .

`` It had an enormous impact on the fashion world , '' Tripp said . `` Shrimpton credits the arrival of the miniskirt to her wearing it at Derby Day , though it was probably London designer Mary Quant who invented it the year before .

`` Regardless , it was very much the pivotal moment of the introduction of the miniskirt to an international stage . ''

Despite the scandal , Melbourne designers copied the fashion icon in droves . The following year , newspaper The Age reported : `` Last year 's controversial Miss Shrimpton would have passed unnoticed in the crowd this year . Anyone with hemlines below the knee looked very ` old hat . ' ''

Today , more than 350,000 people attend the Melbourne Cup Carnival , with 1,100 men and women taking part in last year 's `` Fashions on the Field '' event .

Competitors are judged on their originality , accessories , understanding of current fashion trends and deportment , with prizes including a Lexus IS 250C F Sport convertible .

`` I think to the rest of the world , the Melbourne Cup probably looks like one big party -- and that 's exactly what it is , '' said Angela Menz , the 2011 fashion competition winner .

`` Everyone makes an effort to dress up . But it 's done in a very different way to say , Ascot in England , for example . The lifestyle in Australia is quite relaxed -- we do n't have to wear gloves and jackets because it does n't get that cold .

`` By today 's standards , Shrimpton 's dress was actually quite long . ''

This year , Menz is predicting lots of tall hats , rather than traditional large brims . `` Head wear has been getting quite sculptural , almost like a piece of art on the head , '' she said .

Since Shrimpton first graced Flemington , international celebrities have become a regular feature of the Melbourne Cup , with high-profile appearances from Britain 's Princess Diana in 1985 , Kate Bosworth in 2006 and fellow American actress Sarah Jessica Parker last year .

The Melbourne Cup is as much about its fashion stakes as its horses . But when it comes to groundbreaking outfits , no one has ever come close to `` The Shrimp . ''

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Model Jean Shrimpton caused outrage by wearing mindress to 1965 Melbourne Cup

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Hemline five inches above the knee sparked Swinging Sixties fashion revolution

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2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the horse race 's `` Fashions on the Field '' competition

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Today style is more relaxed at the internationally-renowned Australian event